Spring Arbor University women's basketball team goes overtime to knock off Albion for first time since 2005-06 season (with photo gallery)

CITIZEN PATRIOT | NICK DENTAMAROSpring Arbor's Melissa Tejkl, right, drives for a lay-up during the second half of Tuesday's game against Albion. The Cougars took home a 65-59 victory in Albion's home opener.

ALBION — The Spring Arbor University women’s basketball team continues to put last season in the rearview mirror. And that object in the mirror is getting smaller.

Spring Arbor improved to 3-2 with a 65-59 win over Albion in overtime at Albion’s Kresge Gymnasium on Tuesday. The game was the season-opener for the Britons.

Melissa Tejkl scored four of her nine points in overtime as the Cougars outscored Albion 12-6 in the extra period.

April Adams was Spring Arbor’s leading scorer with 14 points. She hit a big shot from just inside the 3-point line in the final minute to help the Cougars overcome a late 51-46 deficit. Adams’ bucket made it 53-51, and Ashley Stelter tied it with a layup with 35 seconds left after making a steal.

“We got down five points, and last year this team would have folded,” Spring Arbor coach Tara Kreklau said. “But this year, this team finds a way to pull together. We’re finding a way to win some games.”

Stelter finished with 12 points for the Cougars, who are one win from equaling last season’s total.

Albion (0-1) was led by Patty Rewa with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Senior Melissa Shaw, a graduate of Northwest High School, scored 15 points, including Albion’s final nine points of regulation.

The win was the first for Spring Arbor over Albion since the 2005-06 season and the first for fourth-year Spring Arbor coach Kreklau in the series.

“This is our first game compared to their fifth, and I think our inexperience showed,” Albion coach Doreen Carden said. “Spring Arbor played with a lot more confidence at the end and found a way to win.”